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The Best Boutique Hotels to Book in Devon

Kaywana Hall is one of the coolest boutique hotels in Devon – perfect for a modern stay
Kaywana Hall is one of the coolest boutique hotels in Devon – perfect for a modern stay | Courtesy of Kaywana Hall / Expedia.com

There’s so much to do and see in Devon, from exploring windswept Dartmoor to visiting beautiful beaches. With lots to keep you busy in this English county, you’ll want a stay that includes sufficient rest and relaxation somewhere special. To help you decide where to stay, here’s Culture Trip’s guide to the best boutique hotels in Devon.

The Mason Arms, for traditional British hospitality in Branscombe

Pubs with Rooms

Rustic bedroom with four-poster bed, leather couches, red carpet and private balcony at Masons Arms
Courtesy of Masons Arms / Expedia

One look at this 14th-century stone building and you’re transported into the world of real ale and fine hospitality. Priding itself on the provenance of its ingredients, mostly choosing produce from the southwest, the Mason Arms is a traditional English pub, complete with low-beamed ceilings and a cosy log fire. Their room offerings continue this trend; choose the showpiece Branscombe Room for never-ending countryside views and a four-poster bed, perfect for any special occasion. Will anything entice you away from this slice of Devon luxury? The 10-minute stroll to the beach might do it.

The Horn of Plenty, for cream tea debates in Tavistock

Hotel

Quirky orange and yellow chairs and a teal dresser against a light blue wall at The Horn of Plenty
Courtesy of the Horn of Plenty / Expedia

Originally a 19th-century private home, this ivy-covered building is now a four-star luxury boutique hotel in Devon with 16 individual rooms. Opt to stay in the house itself, decorated with traditional charm and complete with countryside views overlooking the Tamar Valley, or choose the swanky Coach House for your own balcony and comfortable living spaces. Experience the landscape you can see from your room with plenty of outdoor activities available in Dartmoor National Park, or head to either of Devon’s coasts for a day by the beach. An even more traditional experience, enjoy classic Devon cream tea from the hotel restaurant. Jam first, or cream first?

Heasley House, for all the activities near Barnstaple

Boutique Hotel

White Georgian exterior of Heasley House
Courtesy of Heasley House / Expedia

This family-run property, set in South Molton, boasts individually decorated rooms with their own quirks and furnishings – Room 3 offers a cosy bedroom with a stylish walk-in shower, while Room 2 even has its own dressing room and south-facing windows overlooking the gorgeous valley ahead. Devon is all about the outdoors, and Heasley House will point you in the right direction for everything from walking and cycling to surfing and clay shooting. If that doesn’t sound like your thing, rent an excellent electric bike right from your hotel to take the weight off a little, or settle down with a cask ale at the hotel restaurant.

Gara Rock, East Portlemouth, for sunning yourself in South Devon

Spa Hotel, Hotel

Bright living space with a dark-toned couch, grey chair, a wicker lamp and a wooden table at Gara Rock
© Gara Rock / Expedia

Boutique hotels in Devon don’t get much better than Gara Rock. Set atop a cliff in East Portlemouth, just a short ferry ride from Salcombe, Gara Rock boasts views as far as Dartmoor on a clear day. Opt for the Signal House for your own private sun terrace and hot tub to take advantage of the warm Devon climate. Weather not on your side? Not to worry, the underfloor heating will have you cosy in no time as you plot what à la carte delights are in store for you from the on-site restaurant.

South Sands Boutique Hotel, for sea views in Salcombe

Hotel

Spacious and bright bedroom with large bed, oversized comfy chair and a telescope between two clawfoot tubs at South Sands Hotel
Courtesy of South Sands Hotel / Expedia.com

This quaint seaside town, largely untouched by the bustle of modern life, is the backdrop to South Sands Boutique Hotel. With 22 modern yet homely rooms and five luxury beach suites, there’s plenty of choice – take our advice and opt for a room with large windows that look over South Sands, you won’t be disappointed. The best bit? Your canine companion is not just welcome, but pampered; they’ll even get their own welcome basket with a blanket, bowl and luxury treats.

Tavistock House Hotel, for a sleek sleep in Tavistock

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

Elegant bedroom with a double bed, a non-functional fireplace, a cream carpet and a dark wood writing table at Tavistock House Hotel, Devon
Courtesy of Tavistock House Hotel

A gorgeous, privately owned Victorian townhouse, Tavistock House Hotel has been tastefully restored to retain some original features but with slick and smart individually designed rooms. Guests praise the consistently high quality and flawless attention to detail, from the comfy pocket-sprung mattresses with Egyptian cotton sheets to the under-floor heating in the bathroom. Every room comes with a 40in (102cm) TV, Netflix, high-speed wifi, tablets to surf the net with access to digital newspapers, Nespresso coffee machines and luxurious Noble Isle toiletries.

Kaywana Hall, for a modern holiday home near Dartmouth

Boutique Hotel

The architecture and design of Kaywana Hall are striking and contemporary, with sweeping clean lines and lots of glass to create a light and spacious look and feel. Originally one of four 1960s houses that had unusual roofs shaped like butterflies, owners Tony Pithers and Gordon Craig enlisted help from Brixham architect Stan Bolt to rebuild and redesign the luxury, modern hideaway that sits in stunning contrast to the surrounding 12 acres (5ha) of lush woodland. The four guest suites are detached from the main house, so you have space and privacy to retreat and both quality and attention to detail are top-notch. The rooms have gorgeous beds, quality linens, fluffy towels, Nespresso machines, wifi and wide-screen TVs.

Kentisbury Grange, for a country estate near Exmoor

Chain Hotel, Hotel

Grey exterior of Kentisbury Grange nestled in verdant grounds
Courtesy of Kentisbury Grange

Beautifully appointed on the edge of Exmoor National Park, award-winning Kentisbury Grange is a luxurious country manor house set in stunning landscaped gardens. The decor is contemporary classic elegance: modern, clean lines with opulent touches here and there, such as an exquisite fabric, a vivid colour or a vibrantly patterned cushion or wall panel. The restaurant serves food that’s high quality and inventive with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, prepared with first-class ingenuity and flair.

Glazebrook House Hotel, for an award-winning getaway near Dartmoor

Luxury, Boutique Hotel, Hotel

With a funky interior by esteemed designer and furniture maker Timothy Oulton, Glazebrook House is a smart, high-end boutique hotel in Devon that’s bold, sophisticated and fun, like a playground for grown-ups, with humour and a hint of kitsch. It won an award from Visit England, and another for Best Hotel Restaurant at the Food and Drink Devon Love the Flavour awards. There are nine rooms inspired by Alice in Wonderland(1865) with their own unique character, decadence and style. Each room has handcrafted furniture, 3D-effect marble, super-cool collectors’ trinkets plus lots of special details, such as the soft and fluffy white sheepskin bed in the White Rabbit room and the hard-to-spot dollhouses in the Mad Hatter room.

Weeke Barton, for a sustainable stay near Exeter

Hotel

Rustic looking bedroom with a double bed, a stone fireplace, a standalone tub, wooden beams and a TV at Weeke Barton
Courtesy of Weeke Barton
This renovated, medieval, granite house is a gorgeous blend of old countryside charm and modern, eco-friendly chic. The owners of Weeke Barton care deeply about the house and land, and it shows. Inside, the decor is inviting country cool with a fireplace, low sofas and a well-stocked honesty bar in the snug. The five bedrooms are light and calming with natural stone tiles, exposed oak beams, cosy window seats and sheepskin rugs with luxurious modern conveniences. There’s a biomass boiler that runs on sustainable sources of wood to cut out the need for oil and gas, plus eco cleaning products, light bulbs and toiletries are used throughout. Co-owner Jo Gossett is also an experienced chef, so evening meals are delicious British classics using locally sourced ingredients.

Still haven’t found your ideal 5-star stay in Devon? Check out our list of the best luxury hotels in the county, or discover the best hotels in Devon for every traveller, all bookable on Culture Trip. Visiting Devon on a budget? Check out our guide to the most budget-friendly hotels in Torquay, England, bookable on Culture Trip. If you’re heading to Devon with the family, you’ll want to check out these family-friendly hotels.

Sam Moakes contributed additional reporting to this article.

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